Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

Additional Butterfly Information Swallowtail Butterfly Pictures Types of Butterflies

The yellow patterns on black wings make the Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) a distinct looking species.

A wing span that measures four to six inches in length makes it the largest butterfly in the United States. Still, it pales in comparison to the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae), the largest butterfly in the world, with a wing span of ten inches.

Giant Swallowtail caterpillars feed on citrus and ash leaves, making them a common butterfly throughout many East and West Coast southern states.

Their status as Southern butterflies means they can be seen from spring through fall throughout much of the year in their range.

In Florida they can be found almost year round.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels